Volume 125 Issue 100
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY GANSAN
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COMMENTARY KU's reality:
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Welcome to Kansas basketball's new reality show, "The Rio World"
Throughout the year, freshman guard Rio Adams admits all over websites in GIFs of him dancing or eating imaginary soup or cereal while on the Kansas bench.
Now that the season is over, Adams found a way to keep his show going by announcing his decision to transfer from the University on his Twitter account on April 2 and move closer to his home in Seattle.
That was supposed to be the season finale.
Last Thursday, Adams tweeted that he would not be transferring from the program.
Instead, Jayhawk nation received a surprise part two of the final episode.
If only the final episode was that simple.
Yesterday, Adams made it official on his Twitter account that he will be leaving the program.
Yes, the last decision is final.
While Adams' time here was fun, there are a few things to note.
When you turn 18, people recognize you as an adult. You finally get the chance to make your own decisions like deciding to attend class or go enjoy beautiful weather with friends.
Though the situation was much bigger for Adams, this was exactly the case
No matter the choice, you make a decision, and you live with it.
Once he announced his decision, that should have been the finale. No one was really shocked. Adams publicly addressed his discontent with not playing in a series of tweets right before the Feb. 20 game at Oklahoma State.
In the end, Adams hurt his chances by going back and forth on this decision Still, he has an opportunity to go elsewhere and do very well.
Sophomore Naadir Tharpe returns after a solid season as first guard off the bench. Freshman Andrew White III brings back his three-point shot. Even though it's highly unlikely, McLemore could come back.
Though the 6-foot-3 combo guard has athleticism, Kansas will have plenty of guards to choose from next year.
Adams never had a chance to show his abilities. Even next year, he probably wouldn't have had a shot.
McDonald's All-American Wayne Selden finished with 13 points on five-of-seven shooting in 18 minutes during the McDonald's All-American game. Selden brings size and athleticism as a shooting guard.
Adams would have competed, but ultimately, he would still be unhappy with the playing time.
Adams only scored 27 points in 24 games. He was behind a veteran backcourt combined with freshman guard Ben McLemore.
Mix in young talent with the veterans and Kansas has plenty of options.
Wichita native Conner Frankamp hit 22 of 25 3-pointers in the final round to win the third-annual American Family Insurance High School 3-Point Championship on Friday.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Still, Adams gets the chance to shine closer to home. He just made the decision much more interesting.
Adams voted himself off the island that is Allen Fieldhouse, and now, Self won't grant him a rose to return.
Good luck, Rio Adams. Whatever program ends up with you, the team will be lucky to have someone with enough creativity to snack on imaginary cereal.
Edited by Madison Schultz
Thomas Taylor, a senior pitcher from Overland Park, is one of the five pitchers in the conference to have a shutout. Both coaches and teammates have seen a noticeable growth in Taylor's abilities.
In his final year, pitcher Thomas Taylor is leaving his legacy on Kansas
PITCH PERFECT
TAYLOR-MADE SEASON
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughian@kansan.com
Thomas Taylor's senior year could not be drawn out any better. Individually, Taylor has been the brightest spot of the Jayhawks this season.
The senior from Overland Park is 3-0 in 2013. Behind his impressive win-loss record, his numbers are perfect for a senior pitcher who is looking to catch the eye of a professional baseball scout.
"It's been fun to watch his maturity and his development over the five years that he's been here," coach Ritch Price said. "He's really blossomed into an outstanding starter in this conference."
Taylor pitched a complete game against Eastern Michigan last month and came within an out
to pitch another full nine innings against Oklahoma. Taylor is in the top 10 in the conference in ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts, and is one of five pitchers to have a shutout
1
Price said Taylor's maturity has developed since he came to the University in 2008. On the field, Taylor had to learn to transform into a better collegiate pitcher.
"When he first got here, he couldn't spin the ball," Price said. "He had a knuckle-curve type thing that wasn't very effective. But he's improved his breaking ball, and most importantly, he's
improved his command."
"He can make that pitch when he needs to make it. He believes in himself."
Senior third baseman Jordan Dreiling came to Kansas the same time as Taylor and has noticed a lot of improvement in him as a
JORDAN DREILING
Senior third baseman
Jayhawk.
This past Friday, Taylor started sooner than usual on the weekends. The original Sunday starter was ready for No. 19 Oklahoma State and kept them quiet while
the offense generated runs in the 7-5 win.
"He's been working hard at it for the last four years," Dreiling said. "He can make that pitch when he needs to make it. He believes in himself. Burn time."
he goes out there, he believes he should win, as well as we do."
Taylor's ability to have a strong outing has given the Jayhawks good chemistry on the field and in the dugout.
"His job is not to go out there and throw a no-hitter," said freshman designated hitter Jacob Boylan. "It's to give us a chance to win, and he does that every time when he goes on out on the field. It's all about consistency. He's been really consistent all year and has done a good job."
Taylor, who has an ERA of 1.84 on the year, is also leaving his mark in Kansas history.
During Friday's game, he struckout six batters and moved
Before Friday's win, Taylor was eighth in Kansas history in strikeouts.
to sixth all-time in strikeouts.
"It ites awesome to have those kinds of stats here at KU," Taylor said. "I didn't think about all that when I came here. It didn't cross my mind at all. I've always loved KU, and to be up there is just awesome."
While prepping at Blue Valley West high school. Thomas went through a lot of success and led his team to a state championship in 2007. Now, Taylor has compiled a remarkable college career and is hopeful he can carry that to the next level.
Edited by Madison Schultz
BASEBALL
Jayhawks prove their competitiveness
FARZIN VOUSOUGHIAN
fvousoughtian@kansan.com
After picking up a 2-1 series victory against No. 19 Oklahoma State this past weekend, the Kansas Jayhawks proved they are one of the more competitive teams in the Big 12 and can play well against a ranked team. Kansas looks to carry that momentum over to today and Wednesday as it goes to Iowa City, Iowa to play the Hawkeyes for a two-game series.
Although the lajahwaks are preparing for a short non-conference series, they still want to go full speed and add more wins to their 18-12 record.
"We have to approach it like it's another Big 12 series," said senior third baseman Jordan Drelling. "These mid-week games mean as much. We're trying to get into the NCAA Tournament, so we've got to approach it like it's another Big 12 series against a top-ranked team so we can take care of business."
Drelling he noticed the team got into a better rhythm this past weekend in its series win over the Cowboys. Kansas has been able
to put up runs on the scoreboard while the pitchers have handled opposing batters for the most part.
Sophomore Robert Kahana and senior Tanner Poppe will take the mound against Iowa. Kahana, despite being a relief pitcher, is expected to give the Jayhaws three strong innings. Kansas will then allow struggling starting junior pitcher Frank Duncan a chance to come out of the bullpen and restore his confidence.
Sophomore Drew Morovick, who has gone 17 consecutive innings without allowing a run, is also expected to come out of the bullpen against Iowa and help the Jayhawks silence the Hawkeyes. The biggest key player coming out of the bullpen for the Jayhawks is junior closer Jordan Piche', who leads the team in saves with six.
"He's awesome to work with because he're ready every time he gets the ball," pitching coach Ryan Graves said. "For a reliever, he's always coming in confident. I think the biggest thing that you see is that players like playing behind him because he pitches so fast, and he's able to throw a lot of strikes.
It gives everyone on the field, and including the dugout, confidence that he'll get it done"
Graves has had little to almost no concerns about Piche', who earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honors this week. He's been able to use him multiple times during a week and Piche' has not shown any stress or soreness in his arm if used a lot in a short amount of time.
While successfully finishing games this season, Piche' has credited the offense for being able to produce runs a lot more recently to help the Jayhawks get ahead and create leads to come away with wins. In the end, he likes to collaborate effort from the offense and the pitching.
KELSEY WEAVER/KANSAN
The Jayhawks watch intently as the next teammate steps up to bat during their game against Jackson State University at home on March 13, 2013, where they won 11-0. The Jayhawks have an 18-12 record this season.
"I think our sticks are getting really hot right now," Picch' said. "I like where the batters are going. I think just small execution, just pounding the zone with strikes from our pitchers, I think we'll be able to put up some good numbers."
Kahana will square off on Tuesday against Iowa freshman starting pitcher Calvin Mathews at
starting pitcher Sasha Kuebel.
6 p.m. The Jayhawks and Hawkeyes play in the series finale Wednesday at 4 p.m. when Poppe goes head-to-head with Iowa sophomore
Edited by Madison Schultz
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